Tamaranai no wa Koi nano ka

Following a minor incident that spiraled out of control, Misuzu found himself unfairly branded as a delinquent. The resulting stigma left him completely isolated from his peers, forcing him to navigate his daily school life in suffocating solitude. Resigned to his lonely existence, he keeps his distance from everyone around him, accepting his role as an outcast without complaint. His quiet resignation is shattered the day he witnesses Kitahara, the school’s top student, being cornered by a group of bullies. Unable to stand by and watch, Misuzu steps in to help, an impulsive act of courage that unexpectedly draws Kitahara’s attention. Intrigued by the misunderstood boy who came to his aid, Kitahara begins seeking him out, determined to bridge the gap between them. However, Misuzu fiercely resists this newfound connection, warning Kitahara that associating with a known troublemaker will only drag him down into the same social exile. Despite Misuzu’s desperate attempts to push him away and protect him from the consequences of their association, Kitahara refuses to retreat. His persistent warmth and unwavering interest slowly begin to chip away at the walls Misuzu has built around himself. Before long, the lonely boy finds his firm resolve faltering, leaving him dangerously vulnerable to feelings he never intended to let surface.